AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So yeah…
A future without football feels like a scary abyss. One I now feel ill equipped for. And that, unfortunately, is my own doing.
“Of course.” Mallory reaches up to stroke my cheek. “I know exactly what’ll help take your mind off this and get you back into the party spirit.”
Before I can open my mouth, she turns and waves to a girl wearing a matching bikini and tiny shorts that barely cover her ass. The brunette’s eyes light up before she hustles over. It’s almost like she was waiting for Mallory to give her the bat signal. With a bright smile glued in place, the other girl squeezes in next to her friend.
“You remember Grace. Right?”
Not really.
“Sure.”
“We were just talking about how much fun the three of us could have.”
I shake my head, uninterested in the direction this conversation has swerved in. It doesn’t escape me that if their proposition for a threesome had occurred a couple of weeks ago, I would have happily obliged. Hell, I would have been leading the charge.
Now, it’s the last thing on my mind.
What I need to figure out is an extrication plan.
And pronto.
When the front door swings open, I glance away from the girls and spot the one I’ve spent the last hour waiting for. A mixture of relief and excitement floods through me. Unlike all the other chicks, Lola isn’t wearing a bikini or grass skirt. She’s dressed in jeans and a sweater.
And I can’t take my eyes off her.
“You know what?” I pry Mallory’s hands away before carefully forcing her back a step. “A friend just arrived. I’ll catch you two later, okay?”
The blonde’s mouth falls open. “What? You’re leaving? Are you sure?”
“Yup.” I couldn’t be more certain.
Disappointment fills her eyes as she reaches out and tugs at my lei. “But I thought—”
“Sorry.” It takes a couple of seconds to untangle myself from them before cutting a direct path to Lola. There’s no need to push and shove my way through the thick crowd—it parts like the Red Sea. A few guys pat me on the shoulder as I pass by, congratulating me on the game we won this afternoon. As much as this is a party to celebrate Demi’s birthday, it’s also a way to blow off steam after the first playoff game.
Even though I knew Lola wouldn’t be in the stands, cheering me—I mean, us—on, I couldn’t help but scan the crowd, hoping to find her there. Normally, when I’m on the field, I’m laser focused on what needs to be accomplished. I’m able to block out the static from the outside world.
That wasn’t the case this afternoon. And it had everything to do with the dark-haired girl who just walked through the door.
As soon as I’m close enough, I say, “Hey.”
Her gaze flickers to mine before darting away. “Hi.”
I search my brain for something to break the strange tension that has fallen over us but come up empty. When was the last time I had a problem making conversation with a girl?
Usually, they do all the talking and I sit back, drink my beer, and nod every once in a while, so they think I’m paying attention.
Sweat springs to my palms.
What the hell is that about?
I drag a hand across my thigh to wipe off the wetness.
When silence stretches to the point of uncomfortableness, I grab the lei from around my neck and pull it over her head until it settles against her chest.
I clear my throat as her gaze cuts to mine. “You, ah, looked like you needed to get lei’d.”
That probably came out wrong.
Instead of taking offense, her lips spring into a slight smile. “Thanks. It’s been a while.”
My brows rise with interest. “Oh?”
“Yeah…well…you know.”
I really don’t. But I’d like to.
Before I can fire off any questions on the subject, she holds up a small gift bag. “I brought a present for Demi.”
“Then we should find her.” It goes without saying that I’ll latch onto the flimsiest of excuses to grab hold of her hand and keep her with me. Fingers locked around hers, I drag her through the entryway and into the dining room, where I last saw Demi and Rowan hanging out.
When I don’t find them there, we move into the kitchen. The birthday girl and her roommate, Sydney, are at the makeshift bar where there’s a wide array of alcoholic beverages for the partygoers. A smile lights up her face as soon as she sees Lola before pulling her in for a hug. I’m forced to release her while they talk. Even though I’m trying my best not to appear stalkerish, my attention stays riveted on Lola the entire time. My heartrate kicks up its tempo when a smile breaks out across her face and a throaty laugh escapes from her.
Is it my imagination, or is she even prettier than the last time I saw her?
